January 2025 Meeting Minutes
6:30pm | Preservation Station | Bonnie Anderson presiding | Prepared by Secretary Howard Dobin
APD Report
There were no APD representatives in attendance. There were questions about why APD has stopped attending our meetings. Fiona Cooke reported that there were two AFD firetrucks and two APD cars at an AirBNB near her home on New Year’s Day. Howard will attempt to reach out to both Brittany Martinez and Lt. Sean Higdon before the February meeting.
Holiday Hijinks 2024
The event achieved its two goals from the previous year: Increase the number, range and variety of items auctioned and to cover all the fixed costs related to the event. After splitting funds with our sponsored charity, 505 Locker, and deducting the fixed costs, the event brought in $2,764.32 to the association. General aims for our fund-raisers are to bring in money and foster community, both of which were accomplished.
The feeling among the attending was that we should continue with this event, but there are issues that must be addressed. Do we wish to continue to split funds with 505 Locker, find another partner, or go it alone? Once our filing on the 501(c)4 is completed, we will no longer need a partner since we will have our own tax identification number. Bruce believes if this event is to be an ongoing success, we will need full community buy-in with all board members mobilizing, approaching vendors, and soliciting donors for donations.
I-25 “S” Curve
The Study Group goals are NOT our goals. Carlos Michelen and Quentin Smith developed a letter that was sent on behalf of our association to NM DOT appealing to them directly. We ask them to reassess their goals and address our aims and concerns. Copies were sent to the Study Group and all our elected representatives: local state and federal. While all options have moved to east of I-25, the Study Group did not add any items relating to pedestrian or bicyclist safety to their “No Build” option. Our “Enhanced No Build” would address infrastructure, keep the highway at 3 lanes and add enhancements. Our suggestions include narrowing intersections and improving ramp safety to better protect pedestrians and bicycle riders. We suggested that NM DOT investigate reducing the highway’s footprint away from the city center and creating a bypass for those travelling the interstate with no intention of stopping in Albuquerque. Carlos noted that the 20 Year Plan Draft for our area is currently being updated. He asked that we bring our ideas to those developing the draft.
501(c)4 Status
Salley Trefethen reported that all necessary documentation to secure our 501(c)4 status is with Rogers CPA, a local accounting firm. We may have to be patient as they are entering tax season, but we should expect our status to be confirmed shortly.
Zoning Change
The City Council passed a measure concerning neighborhoods near transportation corridors like Central, Broadway and 4th Street. The change would allow the development of multi-family structures of two to three story height, fewer parking restrictions, and a new appeals process. Appeals may only be filed on behalf of a majority of residents in the area around the new structure (2 to 3 blocks radius). Those objecting would have to collect signatures from the majority of neighboring residents. If the appeal fails, then the residents would be responsible for covering the legal fees for the developer related to the appeal.
Bob Elwood raised concerns relating to the late introduction of the proposal and the short window of notification before the council vote. He also noted that the inclusion of legal fees could be onerous and deter rightful objections from being appealed. Carlos believed that appeals come only after a lengthy review process involving neighborhoods. Ann commented that she could not think of a development proposal for our neighborhood that had to be appealed, in recent memory.
Krista noted that the City Council also approved a registration fee for building vacancies that exceed nine months. The landlord must demonstrate a good-faith effort to fill the vacancies to avoid paying the fee. Joaquín Baca got this motion passed after much effort. The belief among those with knowledge of the new regulations was that this would likely make it easier to get long-planned development of 501/601 Central buildings approved since it appears that the new regulations address the parking and height issues of the plan.
Graphic Support
Krista Smith and Nick Fanion continue to work on our website and social media accounts. Krista made a motion for the association to authorize $120 for one-year premium membership to Canva, an online graphic design tool source, to enhance our social media graphics. The motion passed unanimously. To join the new Facebook page, please use this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/15iqQ4K1Dv/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Possible New Events
Bonnie asked the group if they had any ideas about a new event in spring to replace the home tours the community did before COVID. She also asked for any other ideas about ways to bring the people of our community together. Krista suggested we consider a “Cookie Crawl.” She and Quentin attended the Old Town Cookie Crawl. Both days were sold out. Old Town used the event to highlight 25 businesses and neighborhood points of interest.
Janet Sykes suggested that we consider using Highland Park, an under-utilized neighborhood resource. A potluck meal gathering was suggested. Bonnie said we have done Easter Egg hunts and Craft events there in the past.
Ann Carson related that the neighborhood had done a Christmas lighting contest for homes in the past with prizes such as $50 certificates to the Artichoke Café. People suggested using our social media accounts to gather participant submissions and use an online poll to determine the winners.